Virtual reality makes food taste better

In another example of VR bleeding into real life, Cornell University food scientists found that cheese eaten in pleasant VR surroundings tasted better than the same cheese eaten in a drab sensory booth. About 50 panelists who used virtual reality headsets as they ate were given three identical samples of blue cheese. The study participants […] https://ift.tt/2yNhJ58 John Biggs October 19, 2018 at 09:00AM

Twilio shops, Uber and Lyft IPO scuttlebutt, and Instacart raises $600M

Hello and welcome back to Equity, TechCrunch’s venture capital-focused podcast, where we unpack the numbers behind the headlines. This week we had the Three Excellent Friends (Connie Loizos, Danny Chrichton, and Alex Wilhelm) on hand to kick things about with Scale Venture Partner’s own Rory O’Driscoll. As I’ve written the last few weeks, what a pile […] https://ift.tt/2yniQsY Alex Wilhelm October 19, 2018 at 09:00AM

Vector speeds toward orbital launch capability with $70M in new funding

The market for small satellites in low Earth orbit is expanding faster than the gas in a thruster nozzle, and Vector aims to be the go-to launch platform for companies looking to put a bird in the air on short notice. The company just raised a $70 million B round and aims to take its first payload into space early next year. https://ift.tt/2yNT2Wm Devin Coldewey October 19, 2018 at 09:00AM

TrackR is rebranding to Adero as it looks beyond small devices to track lost items

When TrackR raised $50 million from investors that included Amazon a year ago, the Santa Barbara startup made a big splash in the growing market for small connected dongles that you could attach to “dumb” objects like keys to keep tabs on their location. But times for the company have been challenging since then. It’s weathered layoffs; a […] https://ift.tt/2yniHpq Ingrid Lunden October 19, 2018 at 09:00AM

Why the Search for Aliens Could Unite Us Here on Earth

Jill Tarter and Maggie Turnbull discuss Trappist-1, the Fermi paradox, and Fast Radio Bursts at Wired25 https://ift.tt/2yMW2lW Jason Kehe October 19, 2018 at 09:01AM

Volvo is betting big on mobile to push its car subscription service

The Volvo S60 will be the second car the automaker will "lease" via its Care by Volvo subscription service when it lands in showrooms in the next few months. But it turns out, that half the folks that flocked to subscribe to the XC40 didn't walk into... https://ift.tt/2yniFOk Roberto Baldwin October 19, 2018 at 09:00AM

The 7 great features that will hopefully return to the MacBook Pro

I miss the old MacBook Pro. Remember when the MacBook Pro had a good keyboard? Or an SD Card slot? Or an escape key? I miss the time when the MacBook Pro was 2mm thicker than the current version but had a full-size USB port. Remember the wonder of MagSafe? Or the glory that was […] https://ift.tt/2yP1swN Matt Burns October 19, 2018 at 09:00AM

Even bankruptcy can’t keep Vertu from selling $4,000 phones

UK-based brand Vertu made a name for itself handcrafting luxury phones that included premium materials, precious stones, and a global concierge service. It went under a year ago, because (shocker) not enough people were buying its $20,000 devices. But if that sounds like your idea of a daily driver, you’re in luck: Vertu’s back with a handset starting at just $4,200. The company is now hawking the Aster P, a 4.9-inch Android phone with 133-carat sapphire crystal glass, a titanium body, and a leather rear panel – you can choose from lizard or crocodile hide. It’s certainly eye-catching, with its…

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https://ift.tt/2yozqsq Abhimanyu Ghoshal October 19, 2018 at 09:01AM

Steam VR update lets low-end PCs run games more smoothly

Steam VR has introduced a feature for Beta called "Motion Smoothing," which will give PCs with hardware that aren't quite top of the line the power to deliver VR experiences more smoothly. It functions like Motion Smoothing for TV and Asynchronous Sp... https://ift.tt/2yNT14K Mariella Moon October 19, 2018 at 09:00AM

Lime's New Scooter Is Hardier, Heavier, and Built for Life on the Streets

More range, more robust, more stable, more waterproof. Lime thinks its "Gen 3" scooter is ready to take on the worst the world can do to it. https://ift.tt/2yrs6wb Aarian Marshall October 19, 2018 at 09:01AM

Drive.ai Brings Its Self-Driving Cars to Dallas Cowboy Fans

The startup is launching a service that will cart the public around Arlington, Texas, including to and from AT&T Stadium. https://ift.tt/2yMmCeH Alex Davies October 19, 2018 at 09:01AM

Apple patent troll strikes again with FaceTime lawsuit

For such a genial component of Apple's ecosystem, FaceTime certainly attracts a lot of lawsuits from interested bodies. The latest is from Uniloc, a company with a collection of patents, a hotline to its lawyers and very little else. AppleInsider is... https://ift.tt/2ysTPMS Daniel Cooper October 19, 2018 at 09:00AM

Legendary cypherpunk declares cryptocurrency is failing its creators

As cryptocurrency falls further into the hands of the mainstream, it falls further away from its creators, the cypherpunks. Earlier today, CoinDesk published an in-depth interview with Timothy May, one of the founding members of the cypherpunk movement. In the interview, May highlights how the ideology that spurred the creation of Bitcoin is slowly being eroded. After asking May a few questions, CoinDesk received “a sprawling 30-page evisceration of a technology industry [May] feels is untethered from reality.” Blockchain is an ideology before a technology In an article dating back to 1985, David Chaum, the creator of DigiCash, outlined the…

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https://ift.tt/2yO7v4t Matthew Beedham October 19, 2018 at 09:00AM

Google Wants China. Will Chinese Users Want Google?

If it wins government approval to offer its search engine in China, Google won't have some typical assets, like rich user data and integration with its browser. https://ift.tt/2yp1uf6 Tom Simonite October 19, 2018 at 09:01AM

Netflix Is Finally Canceling Shows. Good

It's time to make room for new content. https://ift.tt/2yMUTdX Angela Watercutter October 19, 2018 at 09:01AM

Travel lighter, work faster - Chromebook C223 | ASUS

This compact and lightweight 11.6-inch ASUS Chromebook C223 is powered by a dual-core Intel® processor, and gives you the freedom of up to 10 hours battery life. Preloaded with the best of Google, ASUS Chromebook C223 is your gateway to the immense variety of apps on the Google Play Store for work or play. ASUS Chromebook C223 is the simple way to boost your productivity and have more fun on the move — all day and every day. This compact and lightweight 11.6-inch Chromebook is powered by a dual-core Intel® processor, and gives you the freedom of up to 10 hours battery life. Preloaded with the best of Google, ASUS Chromebook C223 is your gateway to the immense variety of apps on the Google Play Store2 for work or play. With its speedy performance, robust security and convenient features, it’s not only perfect for students — it’s ideal for anyone who’s always on the go! Learn more: ASUS Chromebook C223 (11.6"") https://ift.tt/2CT3j85 https://ift.tt/2J5hQxD ASUS October 19, 2018 at 07:08AM

Case Study: Jiwasraya Uses Logitech GROUP to Connect Regional Offices

Jiwasraya is a government-owned life insurance company with branches across Indonesia. The company uses Logitech GROUP to reduce travel costs and create a high-quality video meeting experience. Switching to Logitech video conferencing solutions has made it easy for Jiwasraya to connect its regional offices. With high-quality HD video, crystal-clear audio and a 90° field-of-view that is perfect for large conference rooms, employees are able to get more out of each meeting. Find out why Jiwasraya “strongly recommends” GROUP to anyone who needs to “communicate and share ideas with remote business partners.” Visit Jiwasraya: https://ift.tt/2S3OTpQ Connect with us! https://ift.tt/1VsprYU https://twitter.com/logitechvc https://ift.tt/1QZ6hbh https://ift.tt/2OvAeWu Logitech October 19, 2018 at 07:06AM

QNAP 開發守護 NAS 的全方位資安門神：Security Counsoler ｜ 2018 台灣駭客年會 HITCON

一直相當重視資安的 QNAP，這次也進擊了 2018 台灣駭客年會現場，展示獨家開發的 Security Counsoler，幫助您掃描、檢查和處理資安漏洞，輕鬆簡單就能完好管理系統的資安問題。 #SecurityCounsoler #QNAP #NAS https://ift.tt/2J4pkkx QNAP Systems, Inc. October 19, 2018 at 07:07AM

Security Counselor: All-in-one NAS security guard｜Demostration at 2018 HITCON

QTS 4.3.5 Special Issue: Security Counselor was exhibited at 2018 HITCON. (Hacks In Taiwan Conference) Security counselor can protect your system against malware or ransomware attacks by scanning your system during security checkups. #QNAP #NAS #SecurityCounselor https://ift.tt/2OvAdlo QNAP Systems, Inc. October 19, 2018 at 07:07AM

ASUSTOR College Episode 5 - Introducing EZ Sync

ASUSTOR EZ Sync helps turn your NAS into your own private file hosting cloud service! Music thankfully provided by: OMG - Different heaven - NCS Release https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tua4S... Axol X Alex Skrindo - You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA_p0rQtDXE https://ift.tt/2J7bE8v ASUSTOR TV October 19, 2018 at 06:59AM

Anthony Howe's Pulsing Objects of Permanence – Cool Quotient

Anthony Howe is a sculptor who doesn't like static works of art. For the last 30 years, his material of choice has been metal, and his purpose: to make it come to life. Howe has built hundreds of kinetic sculptures that he says were plucked straight from his imagination. Today, some are scattered across the world, while others are blending in with nature in his studio on Orcas Island, Washington. ► Subscribe for more tech & culture videos: http://on.mash.to/subscribe ◄ MORE FROM MASHABLE ‌• Video - https://youtu.be/6ElleCub6uM ‌• Video - https://youtu.be/jAu1ZsTCA64 ‌• Video - https://youtu.be/W8T6fYt9-tA  Subscribe to Mashable: http://on.mash.to/subscribe  Best of playlist: https://on.mash.to/BestOf  MASHABLE ACROSS THE WEB  Mashable.com: http://on.mash.to/1hCcRpl  Facebook: https://ift.tt/2I7KIYV Twitter: https://ift.tt/2IgAQIf Instagram: https://ift.tt/2I6suXD Mashable is for superfans. We're not for the casually curious. Obsess with us. https://ift.tt/2OypRBi Mashable October 19, 2018 at 07:07AM

North Korean hacker crew steals $571M in cryptocurrency across 5 attacks

North Korean hacking outfit “Lazarus” is the most profitable cryptocurrency-hacker syndicate in the world. Since 2017, internet baddies have in total stolen $882 million worth of cryptocurrency from online exchanges, but none have done it quite as well as the infamous North Koreans. World-renowned cybersecurity unit Group-IB is prepping to release its annual report on trends in hi-tech cybercrime. A summary obtained by Hard Fork details 14 different attacks on cryptocurrency exchanges since January last year and calculates the state-sponsored Lazarus group is responsible for $571 million of the ill-gotten gains. That’s well over half the total sum, more than half…

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https://ift.tt/2q2Oyap David Canellis October 19, 2018 at 06:00AM

NASA wants to send humans to Venus – here’s why that’s a brilliant idea

Popular science fiction of the early 20th century depicted Venus as some kind of wonderland of pleasantly warm temperatures, forests, swamps and even dinosaurs. In 1950, the Hayden Planetarium at the American Natural History Museum were soliciting reservations for the first space tourism mission, well before the modern era of Blue Origins, SpaceX and Virgin Galactic. All you had to do was supply your address and tick the box for your preferred destination, which included Venus. Today, Venus is unlikely to be a dream destination for aspiring space tourists. As revealed by numerous missions in the last few decades, rather…

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Or just read more coverage about: NASA

https://ift.tt/2NNM2hC The Conversation October 19, 2018 at 06:00AM

The Morning After: The cheapest Tesla Model 3 ever

Friday morning has arrived, and with it we're looking at the cheapest Model 3 ever. Also, Apple opened orders for the iPhone XR and set a date for its event where we expect to meet new iPads and Macs. Plus, there's groundbreaking news in the worlds o... https://ift.tt/2q0smxu Mat Smith October 19, 2018 at 06:00AM

PS4 zombie thriller 'Days Gone' delayed yet again

You'll have to wait a bit longer to mow down zombies (sorry, Freakers) on the upcoming PS4 action-survival game Days Gone. Sony is again pushing back the exclusive title from its slated February 22nd release date to April 26th. The game was originall... https://ift.tt/2NQ8Mxv Saqib Shah October 19, 2018 at 06:00AM